Alaska DMV Cheat Sheet
A condensed study guide for the Alaska DMV written knowledge test — test logistics, plus the Alaska-specific rules most likely to differ from what you already know. This isn't a substitute for the official Alaska driver's manual, or for practicing the real questions. Looking for the core rules and signs that apply everywhere, not just Alaska? Check the general driving theory cheat sheet instead.
20Questions
80%To Pass
$15.00 for an original instruction permit.Fee
- Test length varies: The manual doesn't print an exact written-test question count or passing score -- this site uses 20 questions at 80% to pass, matching Alaska's published exam format, as its own practice test length.
- Fee: Removing a provisional restriction early, or a license for someone 18 or older without provisional restrictions, also costs $15.00.
- Documents required:
- Social Security number (must match the SSA database; the physical card isn't required)
- Proof of residence address (e.g. bank statement, utility bill, pay stub)
- Documentary proof of date of birth and U.S. citizenship or authorized stay
- If you don't pass: The manual doesn't state a specific retry limit for the knowledge test.
- Online testing: Alaska DMV Online Services (dmv.alaska.gov) offers a practice knowledge test, an online knowledge test (fees may apply, via ak.knowtodrive.com), appointment scheduling, and license/permit renewal or duplication.
Alaska-Specific Rules
Minor & Provisional Licensing
- Instruction Permit: age 14+, valid two years, renewable once; supervising driver must be at least twenty-one with at least one year of experience in the same vehicle class.
- Passenger-vehicle permit holders need a supervisor seated beside them; motorcycle/scooter permit holders instead need visual sight and immediate supervision.
- An applicant age 16 or 17 must hold the Instruction Permit six months before a provisional license can be issued.
- First license under 18 needs forty certified driving hours, including at least ten in progressively challenging conditions like bad weather or nighttime.
- Provisional license must be held conviction-free for at least six months before graduating to a full license.
- Provisional passengers: only a parent, guardian, or adult twenty-one or older -- except siblings, who may ride along without a parent present.
- Provisional curfew: no driving 1am-5am unsupervised, except direct travel to or from work.
- "Off system" licenses (areas not connected to the highway system, or roads under 500 average daily traffic) are exempt from the provisional passenger/curfew restrictions.
- Parental consent is required for every under-18 applicant; the signer may be held liable for the minor's negligence or willful misconduct while driving.
- A license issued under 21 expires 90 days after the 21st birthday and needs an alcohol awareness test to renew.
Licensing Procedure & Documents
- New arrivals 16+ with a valid out-of-state license get a 90-day period after entering Alaska before an Alaska license is required.
- Vision standard: at least 20/40 in each eye or with both eyes together; corrective lenses must be worn while driving if needed to qualify.
- IE permit only allows driving a non-commercial vehicle under the supervision of a licensed driver training school instructor.
- M2 license lets an applicant age 14 or 15 operate a motor scooter under 50cc, distinct from the standard M1 motorcycle license.
- A lapsed license for a given class can only be re-permitted after five years have passed since expiration.
- Driving while a license is cancelled, suspended, revoked, or in violation of a limited license carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence of not less than 10 days.
- The Social Security number just needs to match the SSA database -- the physical card doesn't need to be presented.
Rules of the Road
- Default unposted speed limits: 20 mph business district, 15 mph alley, 20 mph school zone, 25 mph residential, 55 mph any other roadway (up to 65 mph on selected posted highways).
- School bus red lights: stop from the rear, but drivers on a divided highway with two or more lanes each direction don't stop for a bus in the opposite direction.
- Illegal to drive with a visual screen device operating; texting while driving is separately banned under AS 28.35.161.
- Seat belt law covers everyone; failing to restrain a passenger under 16 costs the driver up to $50 and two demerit points, versus a flat $15 for an adult's own violation.
- Booster-seat tier: over four but under age eight, under 57 inches tall, 20-65 pounds; exceeding either threshold moves the child to a standard seat belt.
- AS 28.35.140 sets a legal minimum two-second following distance; the manual separately recommends a four-second rule as safer practice.
- Serious crashes ($2,000+ damage or injury) inside a municipality go to 911; outside a municipality go to the Alaska State Troopers.
- Headlights required half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and in daytime whenever visibility drops to 1,000 feet or less.
DUI & Alcohol Laws
- .08% or more BAC is presumed DUI; administrative revocation happens regardless of the criminal case's outcome.
- First DUI administrative revocation: 90 days, rising to 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years for prior convictions within the last 15 years (any state).
- Minor operating after consuming any detectable alcohol: starting at 30 days revocation for a first offense, escalating with repeats.
- Ignition interlock device required after a DUI/Refusal conviction: 6 months minimum for a first conviction, up to 30 months for a fifth.
- Refusing a chemical test after arrest brings two separate charges (DUI + Refusal); no work-purpose license is available during that revocation.
- Fraudulent use of a license to obtain alcohol: 60 days revocation for a first offense, one year for a subsequent offense.
- The manual estimates a first-time DUI's average total cost at roughly $22,740, versus about $15 for an alternative ride home.
Vehicle, Insurance & License Actions
- Mandatory minimum liability insurance: $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury, $25,000 property damage.
- At-fault Financial Responsibility suspension can run up to three years, endable early by settling with the other parties.
- Crashes with injury or $501+ property damage need proof of insurance filed with DMV within 15 days, from every driver involved regardless of fault.
- Uninsured or failing to prove insurance within 15 days: 90-day suspension first occurrence, a full year for a second.
- 12 points in 12 months or 18 in 24 months triggers mandatory suspension/revocation, with no work-purpose license available.
- Provisional license holders face a lower point threshold: 6+ points in 12 months or 9+ in 24 months requires a driver improvement course.
- A defensive driving course can reduce points, but only once every 12 months.
- After any suspension, revocation, or limitation ends, an SR-22 insurance filing is typically required to show ongoing financial responsibility.
Rules and fees change — always confirm current details with Alaska DMV before your exam. Cheat sheet v1.0, last checked 2026-08-07.